Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Firefly Lane

From the New York Times bestselling author of On Mystic Lake comes a powerful novel of love, loss, and the magic of friendship. . . .
In the turbulent summer of 1974, Kate Mularkey has accepted her place at the bottom of the eighth-grade social food chain. Then, to her amazement, the “coolest girl in the world” moves in across the street and wants to be her friend. Tully Hart seems to have it all---beauty, brains, ambition. On the surface they are as opposite as two people can be: Kate, doomed to be forever uncool, with a loving family who mortifies her at every turn. Tully, steeped in glamour and mystery, but with a secret that is destroying her. They make a pact to be best friends forever; by summer’s end they’ve become TullyandKate. Inseparable.
So begins Kristin Hannah’s magnificent new novel. Spanning more than three decades and playing out across the ever-changing face of the Pacific Northwest, Firefly Lane is the poignant, powerful story of two women and the friendship that becomes the bulkhead of their lives.
From the beginning, Tully is desperate to prove her worth to the world. Abandoned by her mother at an early age, she longs to be loved unconditionally. In the glittering, big-hair era of the eighties, she looks to men to fill the void in her soul. But in the buttoned-down nineties, it is television news that captivates her. She will follow her own blind ambition to New York and around the globe, finding fame and success . . . and loneliness. 
Kate knows early on that her life will be nothing special. Throughout college, she pretends to be driven by a need for success, but all she really wants is to fall in love and have children and live an ordinary life. In her own quiet way, Kate is as driven as Tully. What she doesn’t know is how being a wife and mother will change her . . . how she’ll lose sight of who she once was, and what she once wanted. And how much she’ll envy her famous best friend. . . .
For thirty years, Tully and Kate buoy each other through life, weathering the storms of friendship---jealousy, anger, hurt, resentment. They think they’ve survived it all until a single act of betrayal tears them apart . . . and puts their courage and friendship to the ultimate test.
Firefly Lane is for anyone who ever drank Boone’s Farm apple wine while listening to Abba or Fleetwood Mac. More than a coming-of-age novel, it’s the story of a generation of women who were both blessed and cursed by choices. It’s about promises and secrets and betrayals. And ultimately, about the one person who really, truly knows you---and knows what has the power to hurt you . . . and heal you. Firefly Lane is a story you’ll never forget . . . one you’ll want to pass on to your best friend.
~
This book came to my life in Holden beach, North Carolina. I sped through the novel I brought for a beach read, and was then left empty handed.  Low and behold, our beach house had a bookshelf - and the pale blue spine, ripped back cover, and sandy ocean soaked edge drew my eye.
There it was.
Firefly Lane.
This book is the epitome of a beach read. A tale of the very best of friends and the lives they lead, together and apart. A tale of how a friendship, when true, can and will withstand any bend in the road.  
It also made me value my best friend more than ever before. I miss her so much, and am so grateful for having her in my life!!!
Monday, June 28, 2010

Finally - It's Beach Time!!!

Holden Beach, North Carolina.

Every summer, we have the pleasure of getting two beach trips, one with David's family and one with mine! I look forward to these weeks every year, but this year was an exception. Living away from family is extremely hard, especially when you have nieces and nephews that hold your very heart...
Our first week was spent with David's family - and I was more than excited to see Reagan, Aly, and Ellie!!!! There were also two new little boys in the family - Max and Sam. 
All the girls are growing like weeds!!! It makes me miss them all SO VERY MUCH. 
It's a ritual - The Sugar Shack in Ocean Isle, NC. Every year, we go. 
And it's the best meal we will all have for the entire year. 
The whole gang, and Marley SO HAPPY to be at Sugar Shack!!!!
at sugar shack
Loving her uncle David :) 
Until next year....
Sunday, June 20, 2010

Thriving



My herb bowl is thriving and we are using it all the time!
The tarragon and sage are amazing on grilled chicken.
The basil is Pesto Perfection ;-)

It really is doing much better than I ever anticipated... and that makes me VERY happy!


Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Patty Griffin rocks my world.

Before the show
There really isn't a word to describe Patty Griffin. Her voice is like no other and she can perform with the best of them. 
Last night, I had the honor of seeing her live in Charlotte's Knight Theatre. 
SIMPLY AMAZING.
It was the kind of show that everyone needs. You sit in your seat and you listen. You clap, then listen again. And her words and her voice just mesmerize you. Yes, she is that good.
I would have been fine hearing anything she had to sing, but I did have high hopes that she would sing Heavenly Day. This is the song my husband and I walked the aisle to on our wedding day. 

Later in the evening, she did sing Heavenly Day.... and I cried. 
I had no idea where it came from, but I had real tears. It was the mood, and the feel of my husband clutching my hand, the words, and watching her sing it - but seeing my wedding day. 
It was overwhelming and beautiful!
For those of you that have never heard the song, (shame on you) - here are the lyrics.

Oh heavenly day,
All the clouds blew away
Got no trouble today, with anyone

The smile on your face, I live only to see
It's enough for me baby, It's enough for me
Oh, heavenly day, heavenly day, heavenly day

Tomorrow may rain with sorrow
Here's a little time we can borrow
Forget all our troubles in these moments so few
Because right now, all that we really have to do
Is have ourselves, a heavenly day
Lay here and watch the trees sway
Can't see no other way, no way, no way
Oh, heavenly day, heavenly day, heavenly day

No one at my shoulder, bringing me fear
Got no clouds up above me, bringing me tears
Got nothing to tell you, I've got nothing much to say
Only I'm glad to be here with you
On this heavenly, heavenly, heavenly day

Heavenly day,
all the trouble gone away
For a while anyway, for a while anyway
Heavenly day, Heavenly day
Heavenly day 
 

Blog Template by BloggerCandy.com